The North Carolina Tar Heels (3-3) and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (4-2) duel in a Saturday ACC matchup. Kickoff time is set for 12 p.m. ET on The CW Network.
The Tar Heels have lost their past three games to James Madison, Duke and Pittsburgh.
Meanwhile, the Yellow Jackets got back on track in the ACC with a win over the Blue Devils last week, 24-14.
The Jackets are favored by 5.5 points on the spread with a moneyline at -205. The total is set at 60 at the time of writing.
On paper, this seems like an easy spot to back the favorite, but I have a feeling the home underdog is going to be a tough out. So, let’s get to my Georgia Tech vs North Carolina predictions and my college football picks for Saturday.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs UNC Tar Heels Prediction
- Georgia Tech vs UNC Pick: UNC Team Total Under 27.5
My UNC vs Georgia Tech best bet is on the Tar Heels' team total under, with the best line currently available at FanDuel, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
Georgia Tech vs UNC Odds, Line, Spread
| Georgia Tech Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -110 | 59.5 -115o / -105u | -156 |
| North Carolina Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -110 | 59.5 -115o / -105u | +130 |
- Georgia Tech vs North Carolina Spread: Georgia Tech -3.5
- Georgia Tech vs North Carolina Over/Under: 59.5 Points
- Georgia Tech vs North Carolina Moneyline: Georgia Tech ML -156 · UNC ML +130
Georgia Tech vs UNC College Football Week 7 Preview
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Betting Preview
After earning a trip to a bowl game last season, Brent Key’s squad has carried the momentum over into 2024. Georgia Tech is off to its best six-game start since 2017.
With a win here, the Yellow Jackets would have their best record through seven games since going 5-2 in 2014. That was a campaign that ended with an appearance in the ACC Championship Game and a win in the Orange Bowl.
One of the keys to the hot start has been the play of quarterback Haynes King. He's leading the conference and third nationally in completion percentage and also has eight touchdown passes.
On the other side of the ball, the Yellow Jackets have shown great improvement under first-year defensive coordinator Tyler Santucci. This is a unit allowing just 87.5 rushing yards per game, an average of 133.8 yards less than last season.
Key has this program rolling and likely headed to consecutive bowl games for the first time since 2013 and 2014.
UNC Tar Heels Betting Preview
After losing a top-three pick in the NFL Draft at quarterback, coach Mack Brown knew this could be a difficult campaign. That has led to a big shift in the offensive attach, which focuses on the ground game.
A Tar Heel has rushed for 100 yards in each of the first six games. North Carolina is the only team in the nation to have this in 2024, and the only other time UNC did it was in 1983.
The key contributor to those totals is Omarion Hampton, who ranks third in the FBS in rushing yards at 764. He has topped the century mark in five of six contests.
Hampton will need to have another huge effort here if the Tar Heels want to pick up a win to turn their season around.
UNC vs Georgia Tech Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how UNC vs Georgia Tech match up statistically:
Georgia Tech Offense vs. North Carolina Defense
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 50 | 63 | |
| Line Yards | 105 | 97 | |
| Pass Success | 11 | 93 | |
| Havoc | 23 | 72 | |
| Finishing Drives | 29 | 105 | |
| Quality Drives | 37 | 83 | |
North Carolina Offense vs. Georgia Tech Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 45 | 17 | |
| Line Yards | 28 | 3 | |
| Pass Success | 83 | 113 | |
| Havoc | 66 | 79 | |
| Finishing Drives | 31 | 39 | |
| Quality Drives | 90 | 55 | |
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 76 | 67 |
| PFF Coverage | 104 | 106 |
| Special Teams SP+ | 81 | 62 |
| Middle 8 | 14 | 107 |
| Seconds per Play | 26.9 (61) | 24.5 (22) |
| Rush Rate | 54% (48) | 53% (84) |
How To Bet My Georgia Tech vs UNC Pick
When I saw this matchup, I assumed I'd want to be on Georgia Tech, but I’m not ready to trust the Yellow Jackets as a road favorite. However, I do see solid betting value in another market.
My best bet is to take North Carolina to fall under its team total of 27.5, which I would play down to 24.5. I also don’t hate taking unders on rushing props for Tar Heel rushers.
UNC’s primary method of success on offense has come running the ball. Unfortunately, that's not the way to attack Georgia Tech’s defense.
The Yellow Jackets come into this game as one of the top rush defenses in the country, ranking in the top 20 in rush success and line yards. This is the same unit that is No. 1 among Power 4 programs in stuff rate, power success and rush EPA.
Georgia Tech’s secondary is susceptible to giving up plays. In fact, Pro Football Focus ranks the Yellow Jackets outside the top 100 in coverage grade. However, I just don’t see the Tar Heels being able to take advantage as their offense is 83rd in pass success and 90th in quality drives.
You can also look at how this bet has fared when UNC has faced other Power 4 teams. In games against Minnesota, Pittsburgh and Duke, the Tar Heels failed to get to this total, averaging just 21 points per game.
Pick: North Carolina Team Total Under 27.5 (Play to 24.5)
Georgia Tech vs UNC Start Time, Channel, Streaming, How to Watch
| Location: | Kenan Stadium |
| Date: | Saturday, Oct. 12 |
| Kickoff Time: | 12 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | The CW |
Georgia Tech takes on North Carolina at Kenan Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 12 p.m. ET on The CW.
Georgia Tech vs UNC Weather
